Half Of Yemen’s Population Is Going Hungry As Violence Worsens

How many times have we seen such similar stories? Countries stand by as a nation goes hungry during a time of war and conflict. Worsening violence in Yemen has made almost half the country’s population “food insecure,” with flour shortages, closed shops and disrupted supply routes driving up food prices. The United Nations says the conflict in Yemen has killed 600 people, wounded 2,200 and displaced 100,000 since Houthi rebels allied with Iran seized the capital Sanaa in September. People face a shortage of wheat flour, especially in southern regions, as the price has increased by nearly 40 percent since the wider conflict began. Shops have also closed down and food markets as well. Yemen imports almost 90 percent of its basic food so traders are unable to move freely when fighting is going on, and who would want to? This reminds me of the Famine in Ethiopia and how heavily criticized they were, for aiding a war but allowing it’s people to starve. Some feel as if its not others job to fix it but I think food aid should increase especially in times like this when people really need it. More than 1,200 people fleeing the conflict have reached the Horn of Africa by boat to try and get away from this problem but that in itself is a bigger issue as well. Not everyone can flee and expect to be able to get food elsewhere, if this isn’t controlled or taken care of soon there will be an even bigger issue that the world is going to have to deal with, other than ISIS.